When tooth extraction is necessary and an implant is planned to replace the missing tooth, one of the most frequently asked questions is when the implant will be placed. There are situations in which an implant can be placed on the same day as the extraction, as well as situations in which waiting for a certain period is more appropriate. Timing depends on many factors such as the reason for the extraction, the condition of the bone and gum, the presence of infection and aesthetic expectations. Knowing the implant timing options after extraction allows you to better understand your treatment plan. As DijiDent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, we approach the extraction and implant processes of our patients in Türkiye together with three-dimensional planning.
What Happens in the Bone After Extraction?
After a tooth is extracted, the extraction cavity gradually fills with bone; however, during the same process, the bone remodels in a way that loses both height and width. A significant part of this loss occurs in the first months. Especially in the front region, the thin bone wall covering the outer surface of the tooth can resorb easily. For this reason, bone preservation is an important issue when planning implant timing.
Timing Options
Immediate (Same-Day) Implant
Immediately after the tooth is extracted, the implant is placed in the extraction socket in the same session.
- Advantages: It can reduce treatment time and the number of surgical procedures; in suitable cases, a temporary tooth can be attached on the same day.
- Conditions: There must be no intense and widespread infection at the extraction site, the bone walls must be largely intact and the implant must achieve sufficient initial stability.
- Points to consider: Especially in the front region, thin bone and gum structure can carry aesthetic risks; for this reason, careful selection and planning are necessary.
Early Implant
The implant is placed a few weeks after the extraction, once the gum has healed and the inflammation in the area has subsided. Although bone healing is not yet complete, the gum having closed makes surgery easier. When necessary, bone graft can be applied together with the implant. It is a frequently preferred approach, especially for infected teeth or in situations where a same-day implant is not suitable.
Delayed Implant
The implant is placed a few months after the extraction, in the period when bone healing is largely complete. The bone cavity having filled completely makes the area where the implant will be placed more predictable. However, since bone loss can continue during this period, additional grafting may be necessary in some situations. Performing a socket preservation procedure during the extraction can help limit this loss.
Which option is suitable is determined by the evaluation made before the extraction.
What Is Socket Preservation?
After the tooth is extracted, bone graft is placed in the extraction socket and covered with a protective membrane or the gum. This procedure aims to limit the bone loss naturally seen after extraction and to obtain a more suitable bone volume for an implant in the future. It is a frequently used method in situations where an implant cannot be done immediately but is planned for the future.
Factors Determining the Timing
- Infection: An intense abscess or purulent discharge may require waiting.
- Condition of the bone walls: Especially the soundness of the bone wall on the front surface.
- Region: Aesthetics is important in the front region, while the number of roots and bone volume are important in the back region.
- Gum thickness: Aesthetic risks may be higher with a thin gum structure.
- General health: Diabetes, smoking and medications can affect healing.
- Patient’s expectations: Treatment duration, number of visits and aesthetic priorities.
When these factors are evaluated together, the most suitable timing may be different for each patient.
Why Is Waiting a Long Time Not Recommended?
Waiting for years after an extraction can lead to progression of bone loss, tilting of neighboring teeth into the gap and over-eruption of the opposing tooth. This can narrow the space required for an implant and increase the need for extensive bone grafting or orthodontic correction. For this reason, together with the extraction decision, it is recommended that when and how the missing tooth will be replaced also be planned.
The Role of Digital Planning
Three-dimensional dental tomography shows in detail the thickness of the bone walls around the tooth to be extracted, the extent of infection at the root tip and the relationship with anatomical structures. At DijiDent, using this data, we evaluate before the extraction which timing option is suitable for you and make the decision together using the images. In cases where a same-day implant is planned, the final decision is made after the extraction by evaluating the bone condition and the stability of the implant.
For Patients Coming from Abroad
For our patients who are in Türkiye for a limited time, a same-day implant with extraction can reduce the number of visits in suitable cases. In unsuitable situations, the extraction can be done together with socket preservation and the implant planned for the next visit. When preliminary imaging is shared, these options can be evaluated in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
In suitable cases, on the same day; in other situations, it can be done a few weeks or a few months later.
It is evaluated according to the extent of the infection; with intense infections, waiting is generally preferred.
It may be recommended to limit bone loss in situations where an implant cannot be done immediately but is planned for the future.
Options may narrow and additional procedures may be needed due to bone loss and shifting of neighboring teeth.
No. The decision is made by evaluating bone condition, infection and implant stability.
Let us plan the extraction and implant together.
Contact us to book an appointment to learn your extraction and implant timing. Let us plan your treatment together in three dimensions at DijiDent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic.
This content is for general information purposes and does not replace an examination by a dentist. Implant timing varies from person to person and is determined after clinical evaluation.
